Art Van Furniture Chairman Art Van Elslander, third from right, meets with officials including Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Detroit Fire Commissioner Don Austin as the retailer presents mattresses to city firefighters.
WARREN, Mich. — At a time when Detroit and its city officials are facing tough financial choices, Art Van Furniture is stepping in to donate 150 twin mattresses to city fire houses, the retailer said this week.
Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture, joined Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Detroit Fire Commissioner Don Austin on Christmas Eve Day to present 14 of the mattresses as an early holiday gift to the Detroit firefighters at Engine 50, Ladder 23, on the city's east side.
"Art Van Elslander is one of our state's most generous philanthropists. We are so grateful and appreciative of this generous gift," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. "These mattresses and box springs will help our firefighters get the restful sleep they need between fire runs."
The retailer is making the donation through the Detroit Public Safety Foundation as part of Mayor Bing's Active and Safe Campaign. Monday's delivery was part of the larger donation of 150 bed sets, most of which will be delivered after New Year's Day.
"The courageous firefighters of Detroit are true heroes in our city," said Van Elslander. "There is no better way for us to honor them than to bring some small measure of comfort to the place they call their home away from home."